'53/'54 chevy radiator question

Was wondering if anyone has tried using the stock radiator in a '53 or '54 chevy belair with a 350 sbc? I got the original one and would rather use that one if I can. Thanks for the help in advance!

Bill

 

I run a stock 305 with a pusher fan and the only time the fan comes on is sitting at a stoplight in hot weather.

 

about how far away does your radiator sit from your water pump pulley? I gotta try and find a smaller spacer block that goes between the fan and pump pulley. thanks for your input and by the way, you have a beautiful car.

 

I was going to use a stocker, but I ended up getting a really good deal on a never used aftermarket 4-core radiator for a 55-57 Chevy. They are almost identical in size, so I made new mounting hardware.

 

When I first got the 54 it had a 350 with the stock radiator. Ran fine unless you hit traffic, so I had to upgrade. But if you dont have traffic as ****ty as we do in L.A. you should be cool

 

I did the same thing.. I had a '55 V8 radiator it fit very well and only need some L-shaped brackets fabbed up to mount it.

 

yeah i live in a tiny town here, wont drive it much near heavy traffic even so, heavy traffic only consists of maybe 10 minute then it weeds out again. Thanks for your help guys. Got my transmission mount just about fabbed up. Hope to have it bolted down and moving within a week.

 

I run the stock radiator with a 350 sbc, no problems yet.

 

Same here. 55 Chevy radiator in my 53, or at least an aftermarket aluminum one for 55 aplications... Didn't even try to cool my big block with the stocker.

 

Mine has a 76 Malibu front clip in it which sits the engine much lower than if the motor mounts were on stock frame rails. It limits how low I can go with the air suspension but with the factory Chevelle swaybar it corners flat as hell. I failed to mention my radiator is a stock dimension Walker repop.

With the engine mounted so low a stock mechanical fan would not fit so I use a 15" pusher type electric with adjustable thermostat mounted in front of the radiator but as I said it rarely cuts on as long as the car is moving. Engine temp is always between 175 and 180. Thnx for the compliment.

 

I have many miles on my 54 with a warmed over 350. The stock radiator does fine. Temps crept up ONE time in a slow parade type cruise/traffic jam but it didnt overheat. Ambient air temp was 90s.